Luas Line wins in second U.S. trip

ELMONT, N.Y. - Luas Line found life in North America better the second time around.

Making her second overseas trip from Ireland in 10 weeks, Luas Line toyed with three rivals and even trampled a few geese en route to a 1 1/2-length victory in the Grade 1, $300,000 at Belmont Park. Asi Siempre rallied for second, 3 1/4 lengths ahead of odds-on favorite My Typhoon. Insan Mala was last.

Under John Velazquez, Luas Line ran nine furlongs over the inner turf course in 1:45.62, the fastest Garden City Breeders' Cup in nine runnings at the 1 1/8-mile distance.

In July, Luas Line came to the U.S. to run in the Grade 1 American Oaks at Hollywood Park, where she finished fourth behind Cesario. After winning two stakes against males in Ireland, Luas Line returned to the U.S. to find an easier spot.

Luas Line stalked My Typhoon, who under Jerry Bailey set fractions of 24.32 seconds, 47.40, and 1:10.37. Bailey said he didn't want to go that fast, but "I couldn't get her settled," he said.

Luas Line crept alongside My Typhoon at the top of the stretch and was on her way to an easy victory when a gaggle of geese flew in the faces of the fillies approaching the eighth pole. Luas Line ducked out a bit, but still had plenty left to achieve the victory. She returned $5.90 as the second choice.

"We must have run over two or three [geese]," Velazquez said. "I got a feather stuck between my iron and my foot. She had a delayed reaction to it. She went through them and she got scared afterwards."

"I got a little fright today," said trainer David Wachman. "I didn't know it was geese she hit. She pricked her ears and lost her action a little bit."

Though Luas Line is nominated to the Breeders' Cup, Wachman said he isn't sure if he will test her against older fillies and mares in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf here Oct. 29. Wachman said it is possible Luas Line could stay in North America and point for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup against 3-year-olds at Keeneland on Oct. 15.